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Washington, D.C., Metro to triple security cameras

Security technology distributor Security Product Depot recently announced that it will triple the amount of its cameras on the Washington, D.C., subway system.

Security cameras will be placed in stations and parking garages, and for the first time will be placed within rail cars.

Metro Rail officials said the cameras will be a deterrent to crime and help to identify potential hazards to the system, including terrorist attacks.

"As the second-busiest subway system in the U.S., serving the nation's capital, there should be no question about Metro's potential to be a target," Metro Spokesperson Philip Stewart said. "We have no greater responsibility than protecting the safety of our customers, visitors and employees. To that end, we are in the process of deploying a comprehensive next-generation security system for Metro."

The number of security cameras on the Metro system will jump to approximately 6,000 from 1,900 at a cost of approximately $6.5 million. Metro officials previously said the pricetag would be approximately $7.1 million. The federal government will pay for a portion of those costs.

An estimated 2.7 million people ride the Washington, D.C., metro system every year, second only to the New York City subway in the U.S.

Georgia-based Security Product Depot is an online provider of physical security products for private, commercial and government use. Its products include padlocks, safes and CCTV equipment.